Jaguar will debut its new sports crossover in 2016

Back in September, at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), Jaguar launched the C-X17 a.k.a. a concept car that previewed its upcoming SUV. Set to take on rivals such as the Porsche Macan, Jaguar’s new SUV will use the same basic aluminum architecture as the upcoming 2015 Jaguar XE mid-sized sedan that was previewed last month at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Internally, the new Jaguar is dubbed as a sports crossover and will be the second model in company’s biggest new-model offensive. The British company now owned by Tata Motors aims to sell over 200,000 units per year. Apparently, sales will be boosted as Jaguar aims to attract younger and more cosmopolitan buyers, according to company’s global marketing director Steven de Ploey.

Jaguar wants to attract more women buyers but also customers with young families. Powering the new Jaguar sports crossover will be the Igenium four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines used by Land Rover. Currently, we don’t know if the crossover will be offered with rear-wheel drive or will come as standard with all-wheel drive.

Comparing it with the Porsche Macan, which is based on the Audi Q5 architcture, the new crossover from Jaguar is expected to be longer than its German rival and feature a much less of a coupe profile. Jaguar will fit the engine further back in the nose for a better weight distribution. Moreover, it will also be lighter than the Porsche Macan’s 1,865 kg, thanks to the use of all-aluminum architecture.